HC castigates govt for slow pace of work on shelter sheds for flood victims
Asks CE R&B to appear in person if possession of sheds not handed over to affected families
The J&K High Court has castigated the state government for slow pace of work on construction of shelter sheds for homeless flood affected people and directed it to expedite the work and show utmost urgency in completing these sheds.
The division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey observed that executing agencies are not showing concern in completing the construction of the shelter sheds for the flood affected people at the earliest.
The bench said winter has already set in with dip in night temperature to sub-zero. “The affected families, if not provided the shelter sheds within week’s time, would immensely suffer because of chill and may besides being afflicted with serious diseases, cost some of them of their lives”.
The court directed Chief Engineer, R&B to remain personally present in court on December 16 if government fails to construct and hand over the possession of the shelter shed to the affected families.
“In case the construction of shelter sheds is not completed in the week and possession not handed over to the affected families, then the Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir shall remain personally present before the court on next date of hearing,” the bench ordered.
After Deputy Commissioners of Shopian and Kupwara filled status report, court observed works are incomplete and DCs have not given time frame in which the construction of the shelter sheds would be completed and possession handed over to the affected families.
Criticising deputy commissioners of Anantnag and Pulwama, court said it appears to be only a paper work. “Nothing comes forth from these reports as to how many people are to be accommodated in the shelter sheds and at what stage construction of the Shelter Sheds is.”
It observed that district commissioners are not serious in providing the shelter sheds in the shortest possible time to the affected families. “What is further startling is that even the complete information about the affected families has not been provided. Nothing is said in the report as to whether the amount on account of rent has been paid to any of the affected families”.
While hearing the PIL, court extended time to the government for providing rent to the flood affected families living on rented accommodation.
Regarding issuance of timber to the flood-hit people, General Manager, Social Forest Corporation said nine temporary timber outlets have been opened in Srinagar, where from timber has been given to some of the affected families. The court expressed dissatisfaction over the issuance of timber in other districts saying the progress in this behalf shown is not satisfactory.
